Power crisis at the forefront
The closing down of more than 1,500MW plants over 48 hours is the worst type of news that could have confronted the government at this point in time. And since the resultant paralysis in the transmission and distribution networks has reduced generation to 12,000MW, against the total demand of 19,000MW, increased load shedding falls into perspective. Now, with 10 hours of power outages in cities and more than 15 hours in rural areas, with things likely to get worse over the next few days, it is difficult to see how the government talks its way out of this one, at least without giving a credible roadmap out of the mess.
It bears noting that these losses have to do with recoveries, or rather the lack of them. During campaign time not long ago, the N league made quite a compelling case out of netting non-payers. Power problems, the common man’s biggest worry, were at the top of their agenda, they promised. But now that this promise, too, has come out hollow, things do not look well for them, not for the water and power ministry at least. And they can’t blame this one on the dharnas just yet. Many PTI supporters are refusing to pay their bills, with Imran Khan in the lead, which means the gap between megawatts generated and required will broaden, with obvious consequences. It is reported that recoveries in July were down 81 per cent, and we have already reached a position where the power sector is haemorrhaging up to Rs1 billion a day.
The ADB, too, has come out with concerns about Pakistan’s economic and political crises. The country’s potential – of becoming a regional hub – will remain unfulfilled so long as the political deadlock remains. And however much the government blames its detractors for external problems – like high profile visits and donor concerns – such messages are actually a slap on the wrist for Islamabad, for its inability to keep its political house in order, which invariably has economic spillovers. At the end of the day, it is the sitting government’s responsibility to keep its focus. It is hoped that those in power will keep their priorities right, and the power crisis, at least, will receive due attention.
